GM Arlington to Add 3rd Shift, 800 Jobs

Third shift to reduce demand on overtime employees

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General Motors announced Friday plans to return a third shift to Arlington's assembly plant.

The shift will add an estimated 800 jobs for the plant that builds the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

"The shift is expected to start in the first quarter of 2013 with additional staffing beginning in the fourth quarter of 2012," according to a statement released by GM Friday.

GM says that due to economic uncertainty they had relied on overtime in recent years, but that the market has stabilized enough to add a third shift that will ultimately reduce cost and the demands of those working overtime.

"The members of Local 276 have risen to the task time and time again. Be it delivering best in class quality or working maximum overtime, they delivered,” said Joe Ashton, vice president of the UAW representing the GM Department. “Due to their efforts, a third shift will be added providing jobs for the Arlington community. Congratulations to the Arlington team for a job well done."

The plant currently employs about 2,500 employees over two shifts. In 2011, the plant produced nearly 270,000 vehicles.